Living in a residential estate comes with many benefits:  additional security, maintenance and improvement of common areas and social events, among others. However, few people consider the benefits they could experience if they volunteered in the organising and running of these and other activities within their HOA.

Omar Kinnear, developer of ResidentPortal, the web-based communications portal for community schemes, comments:  “With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer.  However, people who do get involved find there are significant benefits they may not have thought of.”

He unpacks how volunteering can reduce stress, combat depression, keep you mentally stimulated, and provide a sense of purpose, below:

BENEFIT 1: Volunteering connects you to others

“One of the more well-known benefits of volunteering is the impact on the community. Volunteering allows you to connect to the estate’s broader community and make it a better place for everyone,” says Kinnear.  “Even helping out with the smallest tasks can make a real difference to the lives of residents.”

At the same time, it also increases your social and relationship skills, he says.  “While some people are naturally outgoing, others are shy and have a hard time meeting new people. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to practice and develop your social skills, since you are meeting regularly with a group of people with common interests. Once you have momentum, it’s easier to branch out and make more friends and contacts.”

BENEFIT 2: Volunteering is good for your mind and body

Volunteering helps counteract the effects of stress, anger, and anxiety. “Research shows that the social contact aspect of helping and working with others can have a profound effect on your overall psychological well-being,” he notes. “Nothing relieves stress better than a meaningful connection to another person.”

Specific effects on your mind and body include that volunteering:

• Combats depression

Volunteering keeps you in regular contact with others and helps you develop a solid support system, which in turn protects you against depression.

Volunteering makes you happy. By measuring hormones and brain activity, researchers have discovered that being helpful to others delivers immense pleasure. Human beings are hard-wired to give to others. The more we give, the happier we feel.

• Increases self-confidence

You are doing good for others and the community, which provides a natural sense of accomplishment. Your role as a volunteer can also give you a sense of pride and identity. And the better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life and future goals.

• Volunteering provides a sense of purpose

Older adults, especially those who have retired or lost a spouse, can find new meaning and direction in their lives by helping others. Whatever your age or life situation, volunteering can help take your mind off your own worries, keep you mentally stimulated, and add more zest to your life.

• Volunteering helps you stay physically healthy

Studies have found that those who volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those who do not. Older volunteers tend to walk more, find it easier to cope with everyday tasks, are less likely to develop high blood pressure, and have better thinking skills.

Volunteering can also lessen symptoms of chronic pain and reduce the risk of heart disease.

BENEFIT 3: Volunteering brings fun and fulfilment to your life

“Volunteering is a fun and easy way to explore your interests and passions,” says Kinnear. “Doing volunteer work you find meaningful and interesting can be a relaxing, energising escape from your day-to-day routine of work, school, or family commitments. Volunteering also provides you with renewed creativity, motivation, and vision that can carry over into your personal and professional life.”

Many people volunteer in order to make time for hobbies outside of work as well. “For instance, if you have a desk job and long to spend time outdoors, you might consider volunteering to help plant a community vegetable garden, walk dogs for elderly neighbours, or help out at a children’s camp-out.”

Kinnear concludes by pointing out the benefits of volunteering as a family.  “Children watch everything we do. By giving back to the community, we can show them first-hand how volunteering makes a difference and how good it feels to help other people and enact change.”

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